Why does my baby grunt and squirm all night?

Usually it’s normal newborn behavior. Babies grunt and squirm at night because they spend a lot of sleep in active/REM sleep, where twitching, brief cries, and noisy breathing are common. They also grunt while learning to pass gas or poop—they haven’t mastered that coordination yet. Tiny nasal passages can make the noises sound louder than they are.

What to do: If your baby is otherwise calm, try waiting a minute or two before jumping in. They often settle back down on their own.

Call the pediatrician urgently if you see:

• Grunting with every breath
• Ribs pulling in, nostril flaring, or fast breathing
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months
• Extreme sleepiness or hard to wake